🧭 OT Careers Unpacked: Market Trends, Red Flags & Career Clarity with Chris Antartis

When Storm Menzies broke her dominant hand, she quickly discovered just how inaccessible the beauty world can be. That moment sparked an idea and eventually, ByStorm, a brand reimagining beauty tools through an inclusive and adaptive lens. In this episode, we dive into Storm’s inspiring journey from a background in health sciences to becoming a founder and innovator. She opens up about the challenges of designing adaptive beauty tools, the stigma surrounding assistive products, and her mission to make inclusivity the norm, not the niche. We also explore how occupational therapists can play a powerful role in shaping accessibility, not just in clinical settings, but in industries like beauty, design, and product development.

Ever had a client ask, “Why are we doing this?” and you froze? Or maybe your supervisor challenged a recommendation, and you stumbled over your explanation? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m diving deep into what clinical reasoning really is, why so many struggle with it, and how to build the confidence to explain your decisions with clarity and conviction. We’ll unpack: Why clinical reasoning feels so hard (and what it’s NOT).

For over two years, I’ve been living through a journey I never expected, one that has tested me mentally, emotionally, and physically, and transformed my life in ways I’m still processing.

🧠 Episode Summary: In this episode, Parish is joined by Justin from WheelieWorx as they bust common myths about wheelchairs, from the idea that “all wheelchairs are basically the same” to whether power assist makes users “lazy.” Together, they explore the clinical, functional, and human elements of wheelchair prescription, and how important it is for OTs to develop genuine confidence and clarity in their clinical reasoning. You’ll hear real talk from two OTs with different perspectives and lived experience in the wheelchair space, and why it’s so important we move away from the “tick-a-box” approach to scripting.

What if supervision wasn’t just about ticking boxes—but about growth, confidence, and coming back to yourself? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by UK-based OT Supervisor Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, who shares her 30-year journey from NHS clinician to independent OT and supervisor. We dive deep into the evolving role of supervision, how to de-NHS yourself (yes, that’s a thing!), and why prioritising your own well-being isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Expect real talk on: The hidden emotional load of allied health work Breaking free from productivity culture Building supervision relationships that actually support you Why reflecting on wins (not just challenges) changes everything How to show up confidently without the ‘professional mask’ Whether you supervise others, are being supervised, or just want to rethink how you show up in your OT world—this one’s for you. 🎁 Lynsay also shared a special freebie for your supervision journey: Free PDF Download: https://www.otsupervisor.com/Supervising-success-OTsupervision-wellbeing-burnout-prevention Use this PDF to plan and reflect on your needs, bringing attention to your values and boundaries and creating space for self-compassion. Sharing this in your OT supervision sessions helps you explore this with your supervisor to develop a deeper understanding and connection. You can connect with Lynsay via the links below: https://www.otsupervisor.com/https://www.instagram.com/lynsay.mcfarlaneshawhttps://www.facebook.com/Lynsay.McFarlaneShawhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lynsay-mcfarlaneshaw